Charter School Application Process Overview

SPCSA SPCSA CHARTER CHARTER APPLICATION APPLICATION PROCESS PROCESS October 2,2020

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Balance between vision and Balance between vision andreality reality

APPLICATION APPLICATIONPROCESS PROCESS 3.Completeness Check 4.Application Review* 5.Capacity Interview 6.Recommendation toBoard 1. Letter ofIntent 2.Application *During the application review, the SPCSA solicits input from the local school district and the public.

APPLICATION PROCESS APPLICATION PROCESS Approximate ApproximateTimeline Timeline Capacity Interviews: About 3 5weeks after initial review is completed Findings and Recommendation toBoard: About 3 4weeks after capacity interviews Fromsubmission to recommendation about 3 months Completeness Check: About 2weeks Initial Reviews: About 6 8weeks

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Due March 15 for SummerCycle Due Sept. 15 for WinterCycle 1. Letter ofIntent

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Meeting theNeed Ensure Alignment to Needs Assessment Academic Plan Operations Plan Financial Plan Addendum (if necessary) 2.Application

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Staff reviews to ensure all components are includedbefore in-depth review andanalysis Ensure ADAcompliance 3.Completeness Check

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Staff and experienced external evaluators review and analyze application to ensure it meetsthe legislative intent, is grounded in best practices, and is viable for student and fiscalsuccess 4.Application Review

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS While the application is being reviewed, the application is sent to the local school district for input and posted to the SPCSA website for comment from the public. 4.Application Review NRS 388A.249 (2)(d) 2. The proposed sponsor of a charter school shall, in reviewing an application to form a charter school: (d) If the proposed sponsor is not the board of trustees of a school district, solicit input from the board of trustees of the school district in which the proposed charter school will be located;

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS After staff review, founding board/committee to formparticipates in capacity interview to answer questions about the proposedschool and demonstrate the aptitude, skills, and commitment to fulfilling the mission and ensuring a viableschool 5.Capacity Interview

APPLICATION APPLICATIONREQUIREMENTS REQUIREMENTS Based on application, capacity interview, and public and school district input, SPCSA staffsubmits recommendation to the Authority Board Proposed school notified ofpublic meeting andrecommendation 6. Recommendation toBoard

CHARTER SCHOOLLIFECYCLE Charters granted for 6 yearterms Authorization Renewal applications due in fall Year 5 to ensure continuity of program andschool Year 0: Charter Contract Year 5:Apply forrenewal Ongoing charter, state, and federal compliance measures Continuous support from SPCSA s SchoolSupport Team Year 0:Pre- Opening Checklist& Support Years 1, 3,& 5: Site Evaluations Oversight from SPCSA s AuthorizationTeam Annualvisits Year 1-6:On- going Support & Oversight Support Site Evaluations (Years 1,3,& 5)

STRONG STRONGAPPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS PROPOSEDSCHOOL: Meets at least one of the academic or geographic needs from the Needs Assessment1 Designed based on best practices of high-performing schools Aligned to best practices of charter schools as supported by National Alliance for Public School, National Charter Schools Institute, and other established charterorganizations Demonstrates ample support from families and the community to ensure full enrollment and shared investment in the school ssuccess Grounded in research and evidence, which is included in application Has an identified school leader with a high-level of capacity or have a clear plan to identify a school leader prior to schoolopening Has a Committee to Form that is able to execute effectively on the proposed school plan 1 SPCSA Academic and Geographic Needs Assessment (updated December 13,2019)

STRONG STRONGAPPLICATIONS APPLICATIONS Rooted in state and federallaw Knowtheregulations includeR131-16;R087-16A;R088-16A;R09-16AAB49[AvailableonSPCSA website] Pay particular attention to language around fees and volunteering! Founders have already actively engaged community and have demonstrated significant support from community leaders, families,organizations Do not rely on support of electedofficials SPCSA-authorized schools boards mustinclude: 2 current or retired educators licensed by Nevada; or 1 current or retired educator licensed by Nevada anda current or retired administrator with a valid license 1 parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school who is not a teacher or administrator at the school 2 members with experience in accounting, financial services, law, or human services Theboard may includeanunlimitednumberof parentsandrepresentativesof nonprofit organizations and businesses, except that no more than two may represent thesame organization or business. In addition, a majorityofmembersmustliveinNevada,andtheymaynotbeconvicted felons. Strong grammar, punctuation, spelling Edit the document before yousubmit

Evaluating Evaluating New School New SchoolApplications Applications

Alignment Alignment to Needs NeedsAssessment Assessment to Academic and Demographic Academic and Demographic Applicant meets one or more academic needs AND one or more demographic needs. Applicant meets one or more academic needs OR one or more demographic needs. Applicant does not meet eitheran academic need or a demographic need. Applicant will be recommended for approval so long as their application otherwise meets the standards set forth by the SPCSA in its application rubric. In that instance, an applicant may be recommended for approval contingent upon the details of their application and may be subject to additional contract conditions, so long as their application otherwise meets the standard set forth by the SPCSA in its applicationrubric. Applicant may need to revise their academic plan or pick a new location in order to qualify for a recommendation - even if their application otherwise meets the standards set forth by the SPCSA in its applicationrubric. Likelihood applicant is approved

Rubric RubricCriteria Criteria Mission and Vision Targeted Plan Parent and Community Involvement Transformational Change Curriculum and Instructional Design Promotion and High School Graduation Requirements Dual Credit Partnerships Driving for Results At-Risk Students and Special Populations School Structure: Culture School Structure: Student Discipline School Structure: Calendar and Schedule Meeting the Need Academic Plan Board Governance Leadership Team Staffing Human Resources Student Recruitment and Enrollment Incubation Year Development Services Facilities Ongoing Operations Operations Plan Financial Plan (including budget) Financial Plan *Additional rubric criteria may apply for certain school types or circumstances

Rubric RubricRatings Ratings Rating Characteristics The response reflects a thorough understanding of key issues. It addresses the topic with specific and accurate information that shows thorough preparation; presents a clear, realistic picture of how the school expects to operate; and inspires confidence in the applicant s capacity to carry out the plan effectively in a way which will result in a 4- or 5-star school. Meets the Standard The response meets the criteria in many respects but lacks detail and/or requires additional information in one or more areas. Approaches the Standard The response is undeveloped or incomplete; demonstrates lack of preparation; or otherwise raises substantial concerns about the viability of the plan or the applicant s ability to carry it out. Does Not Meet the SPCSA Charter Applicant Workshop, fall 2018 Standard

Other Noteworthy Changes Other Noteworthy Changes Revised and updated rubric to eliminate redundancies and streamline process Added a scenario-based exercise to the capacity interview Modified the financial plan workbook to request additional information and assumptions

QUESTIONS